I've now read about kafa'a (equality in marriage, or ways of determining if a bride and groom were suitable for each other) practices in the fifteenth century middle east. Fear me. Or something. At least we didn't have to read the next chapter, on water rights and irrigation practices.

I would like to note that it is a month into the semester, the midterm is in 2.5 weeks, and I have no idea what's going on in this class. I'd be worried, except that this is how the last two semesters in Islam have gone as well. It's just how the prof teaches, and everything will make sense, sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.